Archives for September 8, 2017

Obviously you miss a ton of stats and angles when you’re at the game and not watching it on TV so a quick re-watch this morning was vital. Here are 12 quick-hit thoughts on what I picked up this time through.

I realized the Chiefs did exactly what I said I’d do if I was attacking the Patriots’ defense. Go after the size and inexperience on the edges and target the linebackers in coverage. The high-priced secondary didn’t really matter once the Pats lost the edges of their defense and could’t get the check-downs tackled.

The one long bomb to Cooks was beautiful, but was it worth the multiple deep incompletions? Deep threats only work if they’re a threat, and the Chiefs didn’t play them like they were.

Yeah, Richards being out there at linebacker wasn’t exactly inspiring, and he was part of the soft edge problem, but he did make a nice play forcing a fumble and drawing a holding penalty. Kyle Van Noy is basically the heart of the defense now and I never thought I’d have to type those words.

I wonder if it’s going to be hard to find a rhythm with the running backs? Lewis just can’t seem to break free, I wonder if he’s going to be a kickoff returner and specialist back, while the bulk of the load goes to Burkhead early.

Yes, most yards and points allowed under Belichick, but it can’t be stated enough how much this is everything he DOESN’T coach. There’s no way to sugar coat it. I’m vaguely reminded of 2005, when Bruschi and Phifer were out early and, despite a strong front and secondary, and eventually getting Bruschi back, they were the worst defense under BB.

Very curious to see the A22 because it seemed like they ran three verticals a bunch of times. They almost seemed too intent on proving they had a deep game and it fizzled.

James White could emerge as a pivotal player this season in replacing Edelman. What the team needs now more than anything is a Kevin Faulk-ish presence out of the backfield who can be counted on in the critical moments. They also seem intent on showing they’re not afraid to hand the ball off to White anymore.

Who’d have ever thought the quick, shifty receiver cupboard could become so bare so quick?

I find it totally disturbing how Cassius Marsh looks like Belichick merged Shea McClellin with Punk Macklemore then added just a sprinkle of high motor, then spit him back out on to the field. If Hightower misses time he’s next up at SDE.

Wow David Harris must’ve fallen off a cliff. Two running-down snaps and no special teams. Wonder if he’ll be another hidden former-Jet presence like Shaun Ellis in 2011.

I can’t say enough about how quick and disruptive Adam Butler is. He’s a load for anyone to block and I’ve never seen his energy drop. He had 20 snaps, Wise had 17, getting their feet wet on third down. Both showed up even more on the broadcast.

Not Brady’s best game, and it was eerily similar to 2013 when things just weren’t clicking. Just remember Julian Edelman emerged from that season as his new “sonar” buddy as Edelman put it. Might be a grind at times this year, third down evolution will be an interesting thing to track.

The electric celebratory atmosphere inside Gillette Stadium was slowly strangled to death before our very eyes on Thursday Night as the Chiefs poured in on late to blow out New England 42-27. The Patriots asked fans to get there early for the celebration, and well they left early too and even I, someone who yelled at people for walking out of the 2009 opener, hit the exits early.

I’m not sure what’s worse, that the Patriots laid a total team turd or that two critical players who couldn’t get hurt, got hurt. The injuries make the second blowout loss in four seasons to the Chiefs taste even worse than the original in 2014.

This one was historically bad with the most points the defense has given up under Belichick. Yes, it’s still only week one and my golden rule is to never overreact to a game in September, but there were certainly some cold hard truths revealed on Thursday Night — they miss Edelman, and without Hightower the defense was lacked both rudder and tooth.

The two players that had to go the distance this year were Danny Amendola and Hightower. The game was competitive when they were upright. When both were lost, the offense and defense were lost.

What’s clear is this team has no identity yet, and they’ve lost much of what’s made the tick the last few seasons. New players must emerge but it’s going to take time.

After a season where the team really didn’t face much adversity until 28-3, the 2017 Pats got an instant dose of drama at the outset.